KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 -- Maxis Communications Bhd has teamed up with Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and AeroMobile to enable its post-paid customers to use mobile phones and BlackBerry-type devices while flying on MAS aircraft equipped with the AeroMobile system.

Maxis post-paid subscribers will be able to use their mobile communications services available include voice calls, SMS, email and GPRS services, the three parties said in a joint statement Thursday.

"The ultimate aim of this partnership is for Maxis, MAS and AeroMobile -- all leaders in their respective industries -- to leverage on each other's strengths to bring more value to our customers," said Maxis chief marketing officer Matthew Willsher.

Willsher said post-paid customers will also be able to make and receive voice calls at RM15 per minute, send or receive data at RM100 per MB and SMSes sent are charged at RM3 per SMS, while receiving SMSes is free of charge.

As an introductory promotion, Maxis is offering SMS at RM2 per SMS from now until April 15, he said.

MAS commercial director Datuk Rashid Khan said the airline will continuously invest in technology while looking at innovative ways to enhance its products and services to meet the global demands and expectations of customers.

"This is one of the in-flight service comforts that we are introducing on a trial basis for our customers as a Five-Star Value Carrier and we expect these new capabilities to further enhance the high-quality customer service that our passengers have come to expect from MAS," he said.